MPUSD trustees get lesson in expulsions

When it comes to expulsion hearings, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District trustees have the right to subpoena eyewitnesses, including law enforcement officials. The vote to expel a student has to be taken in open session. Students expelled from school for grave offenses cannot be admitted into other districts.

And after six months or a year, depending on their offense, students must be readmitted to their home district.

Trustees on Wednesday received a refresher course on expulsion hearings, learning what they can do to make sure students receive due process and have their rights protected.

The two-hour presentation was given by Dora Dome, an independent attorney specializing in student issues, diversity and equity. Dome was hired last year after district data revealed black students have a higher suspension rate than other groups.

According to the most recent statistics tracked by the California Department of Education, black students represented 20 percent of suspensions in 2010-11, although they represent less than 7 percent of the student population.

In the same school year, four Latino students were expelled and 447 were suspended, representing 10 percent of the expulsions and 53 percent of the suspensions. Latinos comprise 52 percent of the student population at MPUSD.

MPUSD administrators presented these statistics to the trustees last year, and soon after, Dome was hired to analyze more in depth the district's discipline data. "We got preliminary data and found what we already know, that Afro American students are suspended at higher rates than other groups," Dome said before the presentation. "It's all very consistent with national trends, but (trustees) wanted me to come and make recommendations to try to address it."

For the past three years, the district has taken steps to reduce the number of expulsions and suspensions, said interim Superintendent Leslie Codianne. It implemented a program called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, which administrators credit with a dramatic drop in suspensions.

On Wednesday, Dome walked trustees through the expulsion process: What the staff's responsibilities are following an offense that could be grounds for expulsion. What kind of evidence and testimonials are needed. What is required for a hearing to take place. What kind of evidence can be taken into account.

While most information appeared to be routine, trustees seemed surprised to learn a few facts. For instance, to decide whether to expel a student, they cannot take into consideration testimonials given by their parents. They can only base their decision on the facts of the incident.

Dome is also helping the district put in place uniform paperwork to document incidents of misbehavior, and is updating the district's policies on bullying to make them compliant with federal law. Trustees are scheduled to consider those in the weeks to come.

Dome will train principals on discipline and expulsion issues before the school year starts. She is scheduled to be the district's keynote speaker Monday during its State of the District welcome-back meeting.